Increasing engagement rates and help-seeking behaviors among African American women

African American women within the United States, gripped by the historical vestiges of slavery, Jim Crow laws, and modern-day systemic racism, experience the highest rates of chronic and untreated mental and physical health conditions as compared to their White counterparts. The purpose of this inductive study was to address the low engagement rates of African American women in mental health and substance abuse services while increasing understanding of the perceived and/or realized implicit bias in the mental health field. Research scholarship to examine other barriers to engagement pertaining to knowledge, motivation, and organizational considerations is scarce. Due to the paucity of research on socio-cultural stigmas, this study examined specific socio-cultural barriers to help-seeking behaviors among the African American female community in Miami-Dade County, Florida. This qualitative study was based on 10 structured interviews with African American women ages 18-80 years old who met the criteria of being an African American woman with residency in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Discussion: Critical Race Theory, specifically Interest Convergence and Permeance of Racism, was utilized as the framework to explore socio-economic barriers impacting African American women. In the study, participants' perceptions related to mental health and substance abuse support were influenced by racial norms (stigma), access to mental health care, and help from family, friends, and the Black Church. Findings from the literature review and data from the current study support the implementation of an Afrocentric approach and Anti-oppressive practice that leverages community participatory collaboration with stakeholders and faith-based organizations as critical insertion points to engaging the marginalized African American female community.